Brigadier General Jeff Farris enlisted in the US Army in May of 1988, with the 205th Engineer Battalion, Louisiana Army National Guard. In August 1991, BG Farris completed Officer Candidate School (OCS) and received his commission as a Military Intelligence Officer. His initial assignment was with the 415th Military Intelligence Battalion where he served as the Interrogation of Prisoner of War (IPW) Platoon Leader.
BG Farris transferred to the Army Reserve in 1994 and has served in various assignments and positions. His Army Reserve career began as the Counter Intelligence Officer, later becoming the Company Commander of Bravo Company, 321st Military Intelligence Battalion. In 2001, BG Farris deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and JTF-170 as Company Commander. Later, after serving as the Assistant G-2, 85th Infantry Division, he joined the 308th Civil Affairs Brigade. In 2007, BG Farris deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, as the S3, 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion and Chief of Operations (G9) for the 4th Infantry Division. Upon his return, he became the SOCSOUTH Team Chief/Planner for the 350th Civil Affairs Command. Over the next three years, he commanded the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion in Puerto Rico and the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) in Riverdale, Maryland (now located in White Plains, MD). Before taking command of the 352D Civil Affairs Command, BG Farris served as the Brigade Commander for the 304th Civil Affairs Brigade. He was also previously assigned to US Special Operations Command, and attended the Resident Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a Masters in Strategic Studies.
BG Farris Civilian education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a Minor in Marketing and Economics from Louisiana State University. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.
In his civilian career, BG Farris is a Director of Sales for Databricks, Inc., a software company based in San Francisco, California. He and his wife Dr. Karen Farris reside in Florida with their daughter Olivia.